It’s meant to be the best time of the year and it is. It’s summer in the southern hemisphere and a lot of us are lucky enough to get some much needed time off, but this time year can make you feel a bit weird. Don’t worry if you’re feeling that way, you’re not the only one.
It’s a time where we find ourselves reflecting as we finish another year. Spending time with family and old friends can bring stuff up, old feelings, hurts and ways of thinking that don’t really sit so well with your ever growing self. These feelings are coming up for you to let go of them, see it as a chance to say SEE YA. You no longer need these little suckers heading into a new year. NEW YEAR NEW (SAME) ME AM I RIGHT?!
Memories
Maybe it was the first Christmas without someone in your family. Or this time last year you were on holiday with what’s his or her name. And even though you’re well and truly over it there are happy couples everywhere rubbing it in your pretty single face.
And I repeat while you are happily single and your life rules, it’s at this time of the year where you’re reminded of it and you might be feeling like ‘When’s it going to be my turn?’ and you can feel quite alone or like there’s something wrong with you. (There totally isn’t by the way).
People are getting engaged left right and freaking centre and everyone’s posting their stoked as summer pics where everyone seems to be on a boat, has a baller as summer pad and is at these magical looking places and you’re like “I ate some left over ham, napped for 2 hours and it was too hot to wear pants” feeling like you should be doing more with your time off.
People are also heavily reflecting on their 2018 and posting about their #bestyearever. The year they bought a house, got married, had a baby or started a business all these big things which are definitely worth celebrating but when you aren’t ticking these milestones off it can make you feel inadequate.
Social media is great but also a bitch of a poisonous thing.
Trying to #switchoff
I have a bit on my to do list (like organising my 30th birthday party, sorting our bigger than I realised garden and some side hustle stuff) but sometimes to make cool things happen, you need to have a big old beautiful break.
I’ve been trying (key word trying) to have some phone free days to fully switch off. To be honest some days I’ve been waking up feeling out of sorts. It isn’t sadness and doesn’t feel like anxiety (no need to pop my pal Lorazepam, she’s a GB).
Maybe it’s because I’m out of routine, or that I’ve finally stopped for the year or maybe it’s because I stayed up til 2.45am binge watching Penn Badgley (aka Dan Humphrey from Gossip Girl) new show ‘You’ on Netflix.
Whatever it is as a stage 5 over-thinker I don’t let myself over think things so much anymore.
It is what it is, I feel a little out of whack ok well what can I do to make myself feel better?
It all comes back to self-care. You can read my go to self-care practises here
It turns out ‘Morning Anxiety’ is a thing
I’ve often felt really out of sorts and out of my body when I wake up, if that makes sense. I’ve read about this, it turns out ‘morning anxiety’ as it’s labelled as is really common and is actually science.
Anxiety occurs when the stress hormone cortisol is released by the adrenal glands in response to fear or stress. Researchers have found that cortisol is highest in the first hour of waking up, which explains why some people experience anxiety and can feel a little strange in the morning,
Even though lying in bed trying to get some more sleep (you 100% won’t get anymore sleep) or continuing to binge watch may seem like an ideal situation, you can do that later. GET UP GALFRIEND!
Even when I’m on holiday I know that I need to move my body daily. Whether that be a walk on the beach, a HIIT class or training at the gym or yoga it’s a daily must for me and makes me feel so much better and I’m so thankful that it does.
My tips to get through it:
Get up and move your body. Go for a walk or run, a gym class or do some yoga.
Have phone free days and stay off social media. It feels so good! Plus social media isn’t the best place when you’re feeling a bit vulnies.
Read. It takes your mind to another place.
Listen to podcasts. I’ve been listening to true crime podcast ‘Sword and Scale’. P.S you can listen to my podcast ‘The Self-Love Club’ too. #shamelessplus (OK JUDGEMENTAL HASHTAG, IT’S MY BLOG!)
Swim in the ocean. Salt water has healing powers. It’s so good for your body and mind. Get in as often as you can and get your head under.
Sleep. I’ve adopted a nap a day policy on my summer break. We’re really tired after a big year and it’s a good chance to rest up.
Eat nourishing food (treat yo-self too) and drink lots of water and peppermint tea is my go to.
Positive self-talk. Talk yourself through it. “Ok Bel you’re going to get up, wash your face, brush your teeth and get your gym gear on”. It may feel like you’re pep talking a child but hey that’s what we’ve gotta do.
Tell someone how you’re feeling. It can feel a lot better when your share how you’re feeling with someone you trust.
Be kind to yourself. Don’t beat yourself up for feeling. It’s ok to feel things, it’s how you process and handle it that matters and is really boss.
These are self-care tips which can help but please seek professional advice from you GP or health professional.
While this can be a tricky time of year for some, stay in your magic. You’re golden and please know so many good things are coming your way.